JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – On November 4th, officers responded to a residence located on Laurel Avenue on the report of an intoxicated male leaving the residence in a vehicle. The male was gone upon their arrival and as they waited in the area, the vehicle returned.
As officers attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop with the suspect vehicle, the driver refused to stop and fled the area onto North County Line Road. The pursuit was then terminated. Officers responded to the residence a short time later after the male suspect returned home and called police dispatch claiming that he was now in possession of a handgun.
As officers approached the residence, the male suspect, who was identified as Travis Van Pelt, age 25, then entered his vehicle and fled at a high rate of speed, driving recklessly through the neighborhood before crashing into another vehicle on North Lakeside Avenue.
He then parked his vehicle and exited and began walking toward officers who were giving him commands at gunpoint. As he failed to comply with officers, a struggle ensued to place the male under arrest during which time, he struck one of the involved officers in the head. He was ultimately placed under arrest and searched and no weapon was found on him. He was processed and charged with: DWI, reckless driving, open alcoholic container in a motor vehicle and multiple other traffic offenses and also: eluding, resisting arrest and aggravated assault on a police officer. He was then lodged in the Ocean County Jail.